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SharpAAA
Known Participant
June 9, 2011
Question

What's the best way to copy a book?

  • June 9, 2011
  • 3 replies
  • 2539 views

I want to SAVE AS to copy a book to new folder with new name, and have all the referenced graphics and text insets still linked. I am using FM 8 on Windows 7. Is there a good method to do this without purchasing a third-party plug-in?

Thanks,

Roger

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    3 replies

    Bob_Niland
    Community Expert
    Bob_NilandCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 9, 2011

    If all the referenced imports are UP and not down in the original directory,

    AND the new directory is in the same parent dir, you can just copy

    the .book and .fm component files to the new dir. We do this routinely,

    because all imports are two levels up, then down.

    You can also rename the .book file with no issues. However; rename the

    .fm files from the book menu. We do this routinely.

    But the safest way (without aftermarket tools) is:

    • Open the book and all component files in the source dir.
    • Save each component .fm file to the new dir, and close each after saving.
    • Save the .book file to the new dir, and close.

    Be sure to NOT do any saves in the original dir. You might even make a backup of the original files before starting the cloning.

    The new copy of the .book is looking in the new local dir for the components.

    The import references in the components were all adjusted on save, and point correctly.

    S
    SharpAAAAuthor
    Known Participant
    June 9, 2011

    Thanks for all your replies.

    I used Error7130's suggestion. I'm glad I made a backup first. One file got transferred to the new directory. I would add after your 3rd bullet, to close FM and re-open. Until I did that it opened the old book when I clicked on the new book. All in all, quite messy but it's done. Now I'm ready to buy third-party SW.

    Has anyon tried SQUIDDS TOOLBOX? It looks like it is what used to be Systec Toolbox. They say:

    'If you will decide for the feature “Book Transfer for FrameMaker 8” (99.00 USD).'

    This keeps all the links but does not create copies of all the images and text insets like Bruce Foster's Archive plug-in that Arnis and Jeff suggested (I think).

    http://www.squidds.de/en/service/download-technical-information.html

    Thanks for comments

    Roger

    Bob_Niland
    Community Expert
    Bob_NilandCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 9, 2011

    I would add after your 3rd bullet, to close FM and re-open.

    Roger that.

    All in all,  quite messy but it's done. Now I'm ready to buy third-party SW.

    You don't know messy.

    Try copying the unopened files to a different directory tier,

    then renaming them with the file manager,

    then opening the book file.

    ______

    Had a co-worker do that.

    Once.

    Jeff_Coatsworth
    Community Expert
    Jeff_CoatsworthCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 9, 2011

    You could try zipping it all up and moving it that way, but the best tool I ever heard recommended has been Bruce Foster's Archive plug-in (fairly cheap, as far as I know).

    Arnis Gubins
    Arnis Gubins
    Inspiring
    June 9, 2011

    The easiest way would be to copy the folder and then rename the book file in the copied folder. Otherwise, doing a save as on the book file, just creates a new version of the book file with the component files still in the original location.

    I would suggest that you have a look at Bruce Foster's Archive plug-in, see:

    http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.foster/Archive.htm

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